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A published author recently visited classes at Gray Stone Day School.

But she already knew her audience well.

Pam Rutherford has been a teacher at the school for seven years, joining the first year Gray Stone offered a middle school.

The sixth grade English and language arts teacher read her book, “Rasmussen the Plain Brown Mouse,” to students.

“Rasmussen thinks he is just a plain, brown mouse, with nothing to make him special,” Rutherford said. “However, as he talks to his friends from school and a long, skinny snake, he finds out he does have something that makes him beautiful, wonderful and funny.”

This is the first book in a series of six for Rutherford.

“I am so happy for her that it has come to fruition and proud that she is a teacher at our school,” Gray Stone Chief Administrative Officer Helen Nance said.

Rutherford said each book in the series will focus on a different character trait for children ages 5-9.

“I’ve always been a person who journals to keep things in perspective. The story was first written over 40 years ago when I was in elementary school,” she said. “It was rewritten in middle school and then again in high school. Each edit produced a more indepth story of recognizing what makes each character (and in real life, each person) special. As a college student, the story was written again and presented in a children’s literature class. Then I put it away until this past summer when I realized that I have something to say and that it would benefit students.”

Rutherford said she uses novels and short stories to teach reading and grammar skills.

“Writing is a regular experience in my classroom where I get the opportunity to encourage budding authors to step out of their comfort zones and share their work,” she said.

“Rasmussen the Plain Brown Mouse” is available through Amazon.

B.J. Drye is general manager/editor of The Stanly News & Press. Call 704-982-2123.